Description of the attraction
The City of Arts and Sciences is a grandiose architectural complex located in Valencia, on the territory of the former mouth of the Turia River, moved to the south after a catastrophic flood. The city of arts and sciences can be safely called the greatest architectural masterpiece of our time.
The idea of creating such a complex was proposed by Jose Maria Lopez Pinro, professor of history of sciences at the University of Valencia. The President of Valencia, João Lerma, approved the idea and in 1989 commissioned a team of architects who had already performed work on similar areas to develop a project with a striking and extraordinary appearance. At the end of 1994, construction began on a large complex designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava. The complex of the City of Arts and Sciences includes five buildings: the Opera House, as well as a stage for other theatrical performances (El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía), Cinema Imax, a planetarium and a theater for laser performances (L'Hemisfèric), Gallery Garden (L'Umbracle), Open Air Oceanographic Park (L'Oceanogràfic) and Science Museum (El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe).
The opening of the complex took place in 1998 with the opening of the first building - L'Hemisfèric - the Imax Cinema, a planetarium and a laser theater. The last to be completed was the building of the opera house El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, which opened on October 8, 2005.
An outstanding structure of modern architecture, the City of Arts and Sciences, is surrounded by a beautiful green area with magnificent gardens and parks, fountains and swimming pools, gazebos and recreation areas.
